66512 Environmental and Groundwater Geology

6cp

Requisite(s): 66102 Introduction to Earth Systems

This subject is an elective, fully integrated across the two sub-disciplines of environmental geology and groundwater geology. It is designed to complement studies in the natural sciences or to extend studies in geoscientific programs. It explores basic concepts of hydrogeology (effective porosity, hydraulic conductivity of geologic materials, occurrence and flow of water in aquifers and soils, Darcy's Law and regional groundwater systems); groundwater budgets; the unsaturated zone; geoindicators of change; geologic hazards (their recognition and management); elements of aqueous geochemistry and groundwater sampling; pollution and anthropogenic interference with earth systems and the problems that arise; salinity; heavy metals and organics pollution of sediments; recognition of these environmental problems and indicative methods for their control and remediation; water wells, construction of piezometers, water sampling and drinking water standards; micro-organism contamination of groundwater; consideration of a range of topics where society interacts with geoscientific processes (concepts, effects, problems and solutions), and in planning and waste management (effluents, sewerage, flyash and some resource utilisation); alternate forms of energy (geothermal, hot dry rock, landfill gas); tools for landscape evaluation and planning; EIS and aspects of planning policy. Relevant case studies are used for illustration. Students attend two to three all-day excursions to local features. The subject is only offered twice every three years.

Typical availability

Autumn semester, City campus
This subject is offered twice in any three-year period.

Fee information

2007 contribution for post-2004 Commonwealth-supported students: $889.75
2007 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,250.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.125
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2007 for Commonwealth-supported students who commenced after 2004 and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported students should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Domestic fee-paying students and international students should refer to the Fees webpage.

Access conditions

Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.